Penrose, Roger (1931–)

English mathematical physicist famous for his important contributions to
cosmology and the physics of black
holes, for his controversial views on the nature of human consciousness
and its relationship to quantum mechanics,
and for his work in the field of recreational mathematics.

The Penrose tiling and the Penrose
triangle are named after him, but not the Penrose
stairway, which is named after his father. In his book The Emperor's
New Mind1 he argues that there must be errors in the known
laws of physics, notably in quantum mechanics, and that true artificial
intelligence is impossible. The latter claim is based on his assertion
that humans can do things outside the power of formal logic systems, such
as knowing the truth of unprovable statements, or solving the halting
problem (claims that were originally made by the philosopher John Lucas
of Merton College, Oxford). These are controversial views, with which most
of the mathematical and computer science communities disagree.

Reference

Penrose Roger. The Emperor's New Mind. New York: Oxford
University Press, 1989.